Mike Sweeneyis officially on the A's Opening Night roster, and the team's ineligible list for Tuesday's game might be pretty interesting, too.

Three men will be on the 28-man roster for the two games against Boston but will not be able to play, and it is possible that the list might signal the team's direction in center field. Two ineligible players will be Justin Duchschererand Dana Eveland, who started the weekend exhibition games in Tokyo. But with third baseman Eric Chavezand fifth starter Chad Gaudinslated to open the season on the disabled list, the third ineligible player very well might be outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, who was obtained in the Dan Harendeal with Arizona, remained in Phoenix because of a hamstring strain, but he has begun playing in minor-league games. Considering that the A's center-field situation remains uncertain, there is an excellent chance that the team will want to keep Gonzalez in the mix at least through the Bay Bridge Series against the Giants this weekend. And because neither Chris Denorfianor Ryan Sweeney conclusively has grabbed the starting job, Gonzalez might have a realistic shot at being in center for the home opener. Gonzalez, 22, hit .346 this spring. Another outfielder, Jeff Fiorentino, is expected to be on the Opening Night roster.

Mike Sweeney seemed to be a lock for Opening Night after batting .400 this spring and demonstrating full health, but he said he never thought it was a sure thing until he was told today after the team's Tokyo Dome workout.

"It's exciting," he said. "Now I'm part of the team, and it's a matter of helping the team. Bob (Geren, the A's manager) made it clear he doesn't know what kind of playing time I'll get out of the gate, but I told him whatever role I have, I'll be the best teammate I can be."

Harden hopes to play in WBC: Rich Hardenattended today's World Baseball Classic news conference along with closer Huston Street. Street played for the U.S. team in 2006, but Harden was unable to play for Canada because of offseason shoulder surgery.

One of the first-round host cities for the 2009 WBC will be Toronto, and Harden said he very much would like to be there. Canada, the United States, Venezuela and Italy will be in the Toronto pool.

"I just wasn't ready the last time, but by the middle of the tournament, I was feeling good and I was trying to find a way to play," Harden said. "I'd love to get the opportunity to do that now, depending on how the offseason goes. My priority is always the regular season, because that's what I'm paid to do."

Briefly: Walnut Creek resident and stats expert David Feldmanis in Tokyo to serve as the official scorer for the games between the A's and Red Sox. Feldman attended both exhibition games in order to make sure he got an idea of how the turf plays. He said he spoke to shortstop Bobby Crosbyand second baseman Mark Ellisto get their impressions on the bounces they've been getting, whether the hops are true or if the ball picks up speed. ... A's first-year third-base coach Tony DeFrancescowas hitting balls off the walls in the Tokyo Dome outfield before the series started, so he could see how the ball came off various areas of the fence. Geren said he plans to have Francesco and first-base coach Tye Wallerdo that before every road series this year to get an idea of how the outfield walls play. ... Fiorentino's rough night continued after the A's first exhibition game. Reliever Alan Embreestole Fiorentino's clothes and made him wear a pink kimono for a transgression at a party, but Embree didn't merely make Fiorentino leave the Tokyo Dome in the kimono - the left-hander also took him to the Sky Bar at the hotel in the attire. "About 10 people told me how pretty I was," Fiorentino said with a laugh. "A lady told me I should put polish on my toenails, and I said, 'Shhh! Don't give Alan any ideas.' He wouldn't take it easy on me; he had to show me off."